Distributed Algorithms for Spectrum Access in Cognitive Radio Relay Networks

We develop distributed algorithms for efficient spectrum access strategies in cognitive radio relay networks. In our setup, primary users permit secondary users access to the resource (spectrum) as long as they consent to aiding the primary users as relays in addition to transmitting their own data. Given a pool of primary and secondary users, we desire to optimize overall network utility by determining the best configuration/pairing of secondary users with primary users. This optimization can be stated in a form similar to the maximum weighted matching problem. Given such formulation, we develop an algorithm based on affinity propagation technique that is completely distributed in its structure. We demonstrate the convergence of the developed algorithm and show that it performs close to the optimal centralized scheme.